In an interview with The New York Times, Romanian Bishop Marcel Mihescu expressed his concern for liberal values, which he feels are turning orthodox people away from God. He pointed to Russia as a defender of Christian values, which is a symptom of the undemocratic nature of the Kremlin. This is a sign of a global church partnering with the Kremlin to further its agenda.
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Russian Orthodox Church is a soft power tool for the Kremlin
The Russian Orthodox Church is an important soft power tool for the Kremlin. The Russian Church plays an important role in the Russian Federation and is the main force behind its soft power in the post-Soviet space. But the tension between the Moscow Patriarchate and the Church of Constantinople could have an impact on the region. As such, it is important to study the Russian Church’s relationship with the Church of Constantinople to better understand how it is used by the Kremlin.
The Russian Orthodox Church has used the influence of the state to advocate for Orthodox Christians abroad, and it has also endorsed the Christian values of the West. With close ties to the Roman Catholic Church and the Islamic clerics in Egypt and Iran, the Russian Orthodox Church will use this tool to advance its agenda in international fora. They will also make use of the Russian media and popular international outlets such as Sputnik to promote their agenda.
It is a global church
The global church is a gift to a fractured humanity. In this world of multiculturalism, the church has become a crucible for unity, but it also embraces the gifts of many nations. Theologians such as Justo Gonzalez have written several books about the importance of unity in the church and the movement toward global Christianity. They also recognize the need to be inclusive, even as differences are inherent. The global church is part of a larger macroreformation.
As a global church, we recognize that the majority of Christians come from low-income countries and live in poverty. We take the Great Commission seriously, aiming to build equitable relationships between the poor and the rich. In doing so, we acknowledge the diversity of people and cultures that make up the church, as well as the importance of fostering a sense of responsibility. The global church also embraces the apocalyptic worldview, which gives it a sense of urgency to reach our neighbors.
It is a partner of the Kremlin in pursuing foreign policy
The orthodox church plays an important role in Russian foreign policy. The Church supports the Kremlin’s foreign policy by promoting common values between Russians and other world religions. While this may seem counter-intuitive, it is a valid strategy to promote Russian interests in foreign countries. The Church also has a stake in Russian foreign policy, since it represents a major stakeholder group in many countries.
The Russian Church has expanded its influence abroad since 2010, when President Vladimir Putin integrated religious beliefs into Russia’s geopolitical vision and policy choices. Its expanding role in foreign affairs has helped the Kremlin’s foreign policy efforts, and it is a valuable tool of soft power. The Church does not necessarily agree with the Kremlin, but it does support their policies.
It is a symptom of the undemocratic essence of the Kremlin
Russia’s illegitimate president Vladimir Putin has been in power for over 20 years and has had to balance the power of his power elite with that of the general population. While maintaining a balance is necessary to maintain effective government, the undemocratic essence of the Kremlin has remained intact. The government must be transparent and accountable, and the Kremlin must demonstrate this transparency.
The autocracy of Vladimir Putin is different from that of his imperial ancestor. But in many ways it is an improvement over the oppressive Soviet-era regime. It represents continuity with the past. In Russia, the question of how to rule the country has been a recurring issue for centuries. In the last two decades, the Kremlin has repeatedly shown that it can control opposition politicians.
